M'sia authorities issue arrest warrant for S'porean man, he denies 'running away' & will continue to cooperate

A Singaporean man wanted by the Malaysian police for three years over a corruption probe has issued a statement denying he "ran away".

He will continue cooperating with the Malaysian police, he said on Aug. 14.

Wanted for 3 years

Poh Po Lian was described by Malaysian media reports as being "on the run" from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for the past three years.

According to the New Straits Times, he, alongside Malaysian national Jennifer Kok Sau Keng, was being sought to assist in an ongoing investigation.

After supposedly remaining untraceable despite promising to meet investigators 10 months ago, an arrest warrant was issued against the duo on Aug. 4.

One of Poh's former addresses was reportedly 15 White House Park in Singapore.

Both his and Kok's last known addresses are different condominium complexes in Kuala Lumper, Malaysia.

Not on the run

Poh issued a statement via a spokesperson on Aug. 14, where he denied running away from the Malaysian police.

"I am very surprised to hear about the arrest warrant and the latest turn of events. I have always cooperated with the Malaysian authorities," he said.

He added that he travelled to Malaysia and cooperated with the MACC at their office in Johor Bahru on Mar. 5, as well as providing a statement.

On Mar. 11, he also attended the probate hearing for the estate of the late Malaysian tycoon Ta Kin Yan at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, he claimed.

Poh and Ta were co-founders of WazLian Group, a Malaysian hotel conglomerate. Poh was granted probate for Ta's estate after his death in 2024.

"I attended the hearing in person in Kuala Lumpur, as the executor and trustee of his estate."

According to Poh, his solicitors also sent a formal representation to the MACC on Mar. 27 to request that the matter be reviewed and that no further action be taken.

"I have never “run away” and any accusation in this regard is false. As shared, I have continued to cooperate and have travelled to Malaysia when required.

⁠I will continue to cooperate with the authorities in every way possible."